Robin van Persie, Arsenal
The Arsenal captain has scored 54 goals since the start of 2011 Reuters

Jamie Redknapp has offered support to Robin van Persie, after the Arsenal striker was the subject of negative comments after his side defeated QPR 1-0 on New Years' Eve.

QPR manager Neil Warnock accused van Persie of being too physical with his arms during the match, telling reporters: "What do you say about someone like van Persie.

"He gets away with murder. His arms are up when a long ball goes up, so it must be in the laws of the game."

But Redknapp believes that van Persie is not breaking any rules with his performances for Arsenal, and is rather being clever with his tactics in a way that reminds the TV pundit of Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

"I saw Neil Warnock's comments about Robin van Persie 'getting away with murder'," Redknapp wrote in his Daily Mail column. "I don't think there is anything unusual with the way Robin protects the ball.

"Dennis Bergkamp was a beautiful footballer, but he played with his elbows up - he caught me in the jaw once and it was like being hit by Mike Tyson!

"The best players use their arms for balance, can hold up the ball and know how to look after themselves."

Van Persie has been on fire for Arsenal over the last 12 months, and so far this season the Holland international has scored 21 goals across all competitions.

In fact, van Persie's form has had a big hand in saving the Gunners from a very embarrassing position in the Premier League table, with the side now in serious contention for a Champions League spot next season and only one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

With the January transfer window now open, Wenger has mapped out his plans to purchase a striker and left-back on loan. Thierry Henry is hoping to get a deal over the line with the club to move for two months, while Aly Cissokho and Wayne Bridge are two names that have been closely connected with a temporary defender role at the Emirates.

And though van Persie is starring for Arsenal at the moment, should the striker become injured, Wenger will be hoping to bring Henry in to recreate some of the magic he produced in his first tenure at Arsenal.